One of my favorite things about Halloween cardmaking is that the background can do so much of the storytelling. You do not always need a complicated scene, a huge collection of supplies, or hours of coloring to create a card that feels festive and fun. For this project, I challenged myself to create five different spooky Halloween backgrounds for handmade cards, each with its own personality. Some are bright and playful, some are dark and dramatic, and some are wonderfully me

There’s something especially fun about making a Halloween project that isn’t just a card! This little 3D treat box combines die cutting, pattern paper, and a few creative modifications to turn a collection of dies into something that’s perfect for holding a small Halloween treat. I also love projects like this because they encourage us to look at our dies a little differently. Instead of thinking about a die as having only one specific purpose, we can ask, “What else could I

I love a card design that looks more complicated than it really is, and a Pinwheel Fun Fold is definitely one of those designs! For these two Christmas cards, I wanted to see how much personality I could get from one basic fold simply by changing the way I used the patterned paper and embellishments. The result is two festive cards that feel different even though they share the same basic layout. I used the beautiful Mistletoe Market 6x6 Pattern Paper, Mistletoe Market Cut-a-

I love a card that looks more complicated than it really is, and this Halloween pinwheel card is exactly that kind of project! The folded centerpiece creates an eye-catching focal point without requiring a complicated collection of dies or embellishments. For this project in my Halloween Card Series 2026, I combined stamping, simple alcohol marker coloring, and patterned paper to create a fun fold card that has plenty of personality while still feeling balanced and easy to re

I love a birthday card that feels cheerful and a little bit unexpected, and this rainbow unicorn card definitely falls into that category! For this project, I combined die cutting, pattern paper, and stamping to create a card that has plenty of personality without requiring a complicated cardmaking technique. The fun part is that the same design principles can be used with supplies you already have, even if unicorns and rainbows aren't your thing. My goal with this card was t

I have to admit, there is something especially fun about making a card that is just a little bit unexpected. Not every friendship card needs flowers, hearts, or a sweet sentiment, and this true crime friendship card is a perfect example! When I saw the possibilities in the True Crime Stamp Set from Miss Ink Stamps, I knew I wanted to keep the design clean and simple while letting the stamped images do most of the storytelling. The result is a card that feels sassy and a littl

Gift cards are one of those holiday gifts that are always appreciated, but let's be honest—they aren't always the most exciting gifts to wrap! I love finding ways to make a gift card feel a little more special, and this Santa-themed gift card holder does exactly that.

Have you ever found a card sketch you love, pulled out the supplies you have on hand, and then realized your finished card looks almost exactly like the sketch? There’s nothing wrong with using card sketches—in fact, they can be incredibly helpful when you’re stuck or simply need a starting point.

I love when a card looks like it took a lot more work than it actually did—and this little birthday scene is a perfect example! I wanted to create a cheerful handmade birthday card with plenty of color and personality, but I also wanted the background to feel finished without spending a lot of time building a scene from scratch.

Halloween cards are one of my favorite opportunities to step outside my usual design comfort zone. While I enjoy creating clean and simple cards throughout the year, Halloween gives me permission to play with rich colors, bold patterns, and interactive layouts that tell a story the moment someone opens the card. For this project, I wanted the card itself to become part of the experience. Instead of creating a traditional front-and-center design, I chose a square tri fold layo

Create two beautiful handmade cards using stencils, ink blending, and stamping techniques. Learn why simple layouts, white space, and thoughtful color choices create polished results—and discover ideas for adapting the designs with supplies you already own. Perfect inspiration for beginner and intermediate cardmakers looking for clean and simple card ideas.

There’s something about gingerbread-themed Christmas cards that instantly brings back memories of holiday baking, warm kitchens, and spending time with family. Even if you don't bake a single cookie during the season, those familiar shapes and cozy colors create a feeling that makes handmade Christmas cards extra special. That's exactly what inspired me while creating this card featuring the Pixi Dust Designs Gingerbread Bakery Die Set and Gingy Dress Up Stamp Set.

If you caught my recent project on the Miss Ink Stamps blog, you already know I had a lot of fun creating a festive coffee-themed Christmas card. Over there, I walk through the project and show how I used the featured products to bring the design together. Here on my blog, though, I wanted to take a different approach. Instead of walking through the process again, I thought it would be more helpful to share the design decisions behind the card, what I learned while creating i

One of my favorite things about making birthday cards is finding creative ways to make the design feel just as special as the person receiving it. Sometimes that means reaching for bright colors, and other times it's about choosing a focal point that instantly tells a story. When I saw the Mailbox Shaker with Mouse Ears Die Set from Scrappy Boy Stamps, I knew it would be the perfect starting point for a cheerful birthday card that looks like happy mail arriving on someone's s

Sometimes the most interesting part of making a card isn't the technique itself—it's deciding how to let that technique shine. This project reminded me that when a background is this striking, the best design choice is often knowing when to stop adding more.

Christmas cards don't always have to be filled with traditional reds, greens, and bold holiday prints. Sometimes, choosing a softer color palette is enough to make a card stand out while still feeling festive. That's exactly what inspired today's project. I wanted to create a Christmas card with a light, cheerful feel that shows how pastel colors can work beautifully for the holiday season.

Graduation season is one of those times of year when I always seem to need a few special cards on hand. Whether you're celebrating a high school graduate, a college graduate, or someone earning a professional certification, a handmade card adds a personal touch that makes the occasion even more meaningful. I also love creating graduation cards because they're easy to customize with school colors, graduation years, and personal embellishments that make each card feel unique.

Sometimes the simplest supplies can create the biggest impact. That's exactly what I discovered while making today's pair of handmade cards featuring two of the July free gift stencils from Miss Ink Stamps. By combining bold ink blending with clean stencil designs, I was able to create two completely different cards—a colorful zebra birthday card and a tropical-inspired hello card—without relying on complicated techniques or lots of layers.

If you're anything like me, you probably have a growing collection of cardstock scraps and leftover pieces of patterned paper that feel too pretty to throw away but too small to use on a traditional card. Over time, those little bits can pile up and create clutter in your craft space. That's exactly what inspired today's project.

When most cardmakers think of a 4th of July card, bold reds, deep blues, and bright whites usually come to mind. While those traditional patriotic colors certainly have their place, I wanted to explore a softer approach for this project. Sometimes changing the color palette is all it takes to make a familiar theme feel fresh, and that's exactly what inspired today's clean and simple card.